How Small Is Too Small To Disassemble

[Hoosier65]

So, I'm new and love disassembling things.  I have an 18/0s ladies waltham watch I'm about to tear into to. So at what point do I just clean the assembled watch?  This is a very small watch.  I just don't want to be spinning my wheels trying to take apart and reassemble something even the pros don't do.  

[Gotwatch]

First, do not clean the assembled movement. Have you started on larger movements, understand the relation of parts, and succesfuly re-assembled? Do you have good glass? And foremost, do you have the shakes? ;)

 

Good luck!

[Hoosier65]

I've done some larger movements, got a good stero-microscope and only shake after my 3 cup of coffee....lol 

 

I'm an automotive design engineer working at Honda Research and Development (not for Honda). So its easy to visualize how this go together and what each thing should do.  I was just curious if there is a point where you don't take it apart.  I might stick with  larger watches for a while, but this one was running but really dirty. 

[Geo]

Hi Hoosier, it doesn't matter whether you're a pro or like me a serious amateur, at some time you will either want to, or have to push the boundaries regarding the size of the watch. Regardless of the size, if it is a quality piece, it will still have to be fully disassembled for cleaning.

The only fundemental diference is handling the small components. You will probably have to dress your screwdrivers to fit the tiny screws exactly as near enough is not good enough. If it is a watch that is of no importance give it a try, if you win, it's a great feeling, if you loose, you will still have gained some knowledge in the process and can always try another day.

Here was the first small watch I refurbished.

http://www.watchrepairtalk.com/topic/963-time-for-a-cocktail/?hl=ladies#entry8339

[Gotwatch]

I think you have a good handle on what's required, Hoosier65. As you know, all watches and clocks are built on the same train design (albeit different escapemants) but essentiually the same. Not counting the chrono, repeater, etc, ad-ons.

 

One suggestion, take a digital pic of the dial plate after you remove the dial and the top plate before you remove the balance plate/cock (or any time during disasembly). This will help in re-assembly especially with the keyless works, levers, and springs. You'll be fine if you take your time and remember the delicacy these movements need in handling.

 

(God, I wish this site had a spell correct!)

[Gotwatch]

Geo, you must have been posting while I was typing (hunt and peck). Your response is point on. Thanks!

[TKM3RD]

I love working on smaller ladies movements. As soon as I wasn't losing screws left and right learning to handle parts with dead, normal sized watches, I started with vintage ladies movements for practice.

I can get them dirt cheap - I have a guy who sells the movements, most with dials and hands, for a US$1.00 each; less if I pick out a bunch. My smallest are FHF 59N, Elgin Gd. 512, and a Seiko manual wind from sometime in the 70's with a groovy purple dial. The most numerous are Bulova, followed by Hamilton, and I have found just about everything but Rolex and super duper high end names.

I love the challenge, and marvel at the engineering and machining involved in making such small movements. I have, in fact, disassembled and reassembled over 100 of the little ladies. Some which I've brought to life are cased and sitting pretty for someone to want them.

My answer? Nope, nothing too small...yet.

[LittleWatchShop]

26 minutes ago, TKM3RD said:

I love working on smaller ladies movements. As soon as I wasn't losing screws left and right learning to handle parts with dead, normal sized watches, I started with vintage ladies movements for practice.

I can get them dirt cheap - I have a guy who sells the movements, most with dials and hands, for a US$1.00 each; less if I pick out a bunch. My smallest are FHF 59N, Elgin Gd. 512, and a Seiko manual wind from sometime in the 70's with a groovy purple dial. The most numerous are Bulova, followed by Hamilton, and I have found just about everything but Rolex and super duper high end names.

I love the challenge, and marvel at the engineering and machining involved in making such small movements. I have, in fact, disassembled and reassembled over 100 of the little ladies. Some which I've brought to life are cased and sitting pretty for someone to want them.

My answer? Nope, nothing too small...yet.

Happy for you.  I have serviced maybe a half dozen. ONLY because they were friends or family.  Yes, it is a challenge, and yes, one gets a feeling of accomplishment.  I can do that servicing a Timex though.  AND, I can actually read the time on the dial.  Anyway, not being pejorative.  If you can do these, you can do most anything, so good on you.

[TKM3RD]

7 minutes ago, LittleWatchShop said:

Happy for you.  I have serviced maybe a half dozen. ONLY because they were friends or family.  Yes, it is a challenge, and yes, one gets a feeling of accomplishment.  I can do that servicing a Timex though.  AND, I can actually read the time on the dial.  Anyway, not being pejorative.  If you can do these, you can do most anything, so good on you.

LOL, agree on all points, and I don't service Timex! I actually struggle with larger movements.

Have a good one!

[oldhippy]

Lots of experience is needed in repairing watches so when it comes to  repairing very small movements. With experience you just go about it as just another watch repair. 

[Neverenoughwatches]

1 hour ago, oldhippy said:

Lots of experience is needed in repairing watches so when it comes to  repairing very small movements. With experience you just go about it as just another watch repair. 

I think just the same, I barely notice the difference between a gents and a ladies, but then I did start learning with 8 ligne watches and ladies quartz watches. A pocket watch is like working on a freaking clock to me

Putting the train and magnetic rotor back in my missus little Fossil watch was only the second one I had worked on. I could quite easily have said ' To hell with this watch repair lark ! ' 

Then how would you have all managed without me ?      Advice and entertainment all rolled into one little awesome package

[SwissSeiko]

I currently have an identical Seiko watch on the bench to the one you posted. Its escape wheel is very dirty. She lost the crystal, so its missing hands too. I dont find these any more difficult to service because of their size, but do find them harder to regulate based on some of the smaller seiko's higher beat rate. I recently had a "return" that wouldn't wind after I serviced it, which I thought was very unlikely. This is what I found when I popped off the back. She wanted to know if this was covered by warranty. Its still sitting in my job box, waiting for a reply from the client.

 

Edited December 20, 2024 by SwissSeiko

[HectorLooi]

I just don't understand watches with non-waterproof cases. How is the wearer supposed to wash their hands without getting water into the case?

[Neverenoughwatches]

On 12/20/2024 at 3:43 PM, HectorLooi said:

I just don't understand watches with non-waterproof cases. How is the wearer supposed to wash their hands without getting water into the case?

Thats something i never risk doing even with any of my dive watches.

[oldhippy]

On 12/20/2024 at 3:43 PM, HectorLooi said:

I just don't understand watches with non-waterproof cases. How is the wearer supposed to wash their hands without getting water into the case?

The simple answer is you are supposed to remove the watch when you want or need to get your hands wet.  

[HectorLooi]

1 hour ago, oldhippy said:

The simple answer is you are supposed to remove the watch when you want or need to get your hands wet.  

Haha. That's a good way to lose your watch.

Many year's ago, I had a patient who hung her watch on the tap in the bathroom in my clinic, then forgot about it. She came back about an hour later in a panicked state. She rushed to the bathroom and found it still hanging from the tap.

It was an expensive ladies Rolex.